1
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
the army post's stern commander always had the utmost respect of those who served under him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a stern receptionist took our names without even looking up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stern
Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
The bulwarks in the stern were cut down to main deck level, and the deck widened out to provide extra fishing space.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
However, getting first-team reps has come with a stern warning.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Adjective
Both require different kinds of wake patterns that are created by special plates installed on the stern, or the back part of the boat.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
The bulwarks in the stern were cut down to main deck level, and the deck widened out to provide extra fishing space.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Marc Skinner’s side will face far sterner challenges.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
However, getting first-team reps has come with a stern warning.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stern
Adjective
-
Last month, Cupertino became the latest Bay Area city to impose strict restrictions on RVs parking on city streets, with both city councilmembers and residents referencing the bans elsewhere in their reasoning.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Prefer to set strict rules allotting only a handful of visitors each morning?—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Both are ruggedly handsome, gruff and not short on ego.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are vaulted ceilings, post-and-beam construction, two kitchens, two living rooms and a ballroom.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The receiver can self-calibrate, detect weak signals with high accuracy, and operate invisibly, all using beams of light.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Why do some chocolate bars exhibit complex flavor notes like floral, caramel, and gentle woody, while others taste harsh, bitter, and astringent?—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Where rallies are taking place Nearly daily protests in metro Detroit this year have been observed as being peaceful, though sometimes Trump supporters and protesters exchange harsh words.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Israel then launched its war on the strip, which has been devastated by fierce bombardment and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ground operations.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Plenty of companies offer fully remote work, Frana says, but competition can be fierce for those roles.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This feels more important than ever in a world that tries to normalize genocide and climate catastrophe as the inevitable outcome of ongoing and increasingly authoritarian imperialist projects.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In all of our studies, this mindset was also strongly associated with authoritarian attitudes, including beliefs that some groups should dominate others and support for autocratic government.—
Abraham Rutchick,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This grim reality evokes a sense of sorrow and powerlessness among women in Paina Bujurg.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
To the right lay the harbor, its narrow entrance guarded by the grim Morro Castle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Falcons' offense has emerged as one of the toughest in the league, causing multiple turnovers a game.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
How self-reflection operates matters because it will always be needed to make wiser choices about our toughest challenges.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stern. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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